AUSTIN, Texas: The Tesla Cybercab motor uses no rare earth metals while maintaining vehicle range. Chief Executive Elon Musk said this as the purpose-built robotaxi joined Tesla’s autonomous fleet in Austin.
Musk disclosed the design in a post on X linked to the Cybercab rollout. He described the engineering required to eliminate rare earth materials without sacrificing range as difficult. Barron’s also reported the disclosure following the vehicle’s launch.
Rare-earth permanent magnets are widely used in high-performance electric motors because they provide strong magnetic fields efficiently in compact systems. Eliminating them could reduce Tesla’s exposure to a supply chain heavily concentrated in China.
The U.S. Geological Survey says China accounts for more than 70% of global rare-earth extraction and about 87% of processing. This highlights the strategic importance of alternative motor designs and supply sources.
Tesla added the two-seat, steering-wheel-free Cybercab to its robotaxi service in Austin in early September. This came after it began its autonomous ride-hailing operations with other Tesla vehicles in 2025.
The disclosure did not immediately pressure shares of U.S. rare-earth producer MP Materials. The stock rose 1.54% on September 8 and closed at $55.37, market data showed.
Read: Tesla Robotaxi Austin Service Expands Across Metro Area
Rare earth elements are also used across smartphones, defence equipment and other advanced manufacturing applications.
